Language

I loved the article in the Ensign by Elder Callister of the Seventy titled "Our Refined Heavenly Home". I loved the whole thing, but one part of it right now keeps coming back to me. In it he spoke about language we use (I am taking this somewhere, I promise.) Here are two quotes that are going through my head right now.

"Britain’s Ben Jonson said: “Language most shows a man. Speak, that I may see thee.”2 Our language reveals our thoughts, virtues, insecurities, doubts—even the homes from which we come. We will feel more comfortable in Heavenly Father’s presence if we have developed proper habits of speech."

"In his biography on Ralph Waldo Emerson, Van Wyck Brooks relates that Emerson was invited to speak at the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the great poet Shakespeare’s birth. After proper introduction Emerson presented himself at the pulpit and then sat down. He had forgotten his notes. He preferred to say nothing rather than words not well measured. For some, it was Emerson in one of his most eloquent hours."

If we lived in a perfect world perhaps we would always measure our words very carefully, always say the right things at the right time, and never take offense (it probably helps that a perfect person would probably never give offense probably even accidently).

It makes me think about Thumper in Bambi when his mom asks him, "What did your father tell you this morning?" Thumper in reply tells her, "If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all"

Why could something so simple turn up to be so difficult? Here's to thinking before I speak and being slow to retaliate.

On a lighter note, if you haven't read what he wrote, read it. It is great. I especially liked his music section and what he said about a diet of musical french fries. I definitely need to improve my diet food wise, but my musical diet is great. :)